Licensing

License - Hunting and Fishing

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation receives no general state tax revenues and is proud to be funded entirely by sportsmen. We take our responsibility seriously to conserve the state’s wildlife for future generations and provide you with the best recreational opportunities possible.

Every time you purchase a hunting or fishing license in Oklahoma, you are helping fund wildlife conservation in our state. The majority of the Department’s money is obtained through the sale of licenses. These monies go toward managing the fish and game species across the state. When you provide habitat for one species, all species in the area benefit--from largemouth bass to turtles, from white-tailed deer to song birds--all species are helped. Buying licenses has helped bring back the wild turkey to populations rivaling those found here around the turn of the 20th century. It has helped bring fish species to our state that our fathers could only dream of: striped bass, saugeye, trout and hybrid stripers (a cross between white bass and striped bass).

How to purchase a license:

1. Online! There is a $3.00 convenience fee to use the online application. Residents and non-residents simply apply and print their license. You will not have to wait for your license in the mail. Click here to purchase your hunting or fishing license.2. License Dealer - There are over 700 license dealers spread across the state-- from sporting goods stores to bait shops, from convenience stores to large discount centers.

Consult the official Oklahoma hunting and fishing regulations for license requirements and exemptions.

- All active duty military personnel, along with their dependents, have the same benefits and requirements for licensing in Oklahoma.

- All resident and nonresident active duty military personnel, along with their dependents, can purchase any annual resident license issued by the ODWC.

- Nonresident active duty military personnel may buy a resident annual license even if they obtain a resident hunting, fishing, or trapping license issued by another state.

- Oklahoma residents living out of state who are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are no longer exempt from the purchase of a resident annual hunting license.

Fiscal Year Licenses:

Sportsmen and women now have the option of purchasing an annual combination hunting and fishing license, which covers the calendar year of Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, or a fiscal year combination license, which covers the period of July 1 to June 30 of the following year.

- A resident fiscal-year combination hunting and fishing license is valid from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. This license costs $53, and is available to residents 18 years-of-age and older.

- A resident youth fiscal-year combination hunting and fishing license is valid from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. This license costs $19, and is available to residents 16 or 17 years-of-age.

You may download the appropriate form listed below (in Acrobat Reader) and mail the completed application with payment or necessary documents to the address listed on the application. If you have any additional questions about these licenses or applications, please contact the License Section here on our contact form or by calling (405) 521-3852 .

Lifetime License Applications

For Resident Lifetime Licenses, you will have to submit an application. The process can be completed by mail or in person at our Oklahoma City Headquarters office (2145 NE 36th Oklahoma City, OK 73111). If you are mailing your application, the county game warden or an authorized Department employee must approve your application prior to submitting the application.

For your local county game warden, please Click Here. If you will be processing your application in person, you will need to bring the following documents with you: Oklahoma Driver's License and your Hunter Education card (if you are 30 years of age or under). Your Oklahoma Driver's license must be at least six (6) months old. For those individuals who do not drive, residency can be proved with an Oklahoma ID card that is at least 6 months old or utility bills for the last 6 months. If you are under sixteen years of age, a parent’s Oklahoma tax return showing you as a dependent or a report card from an Oklahoma school will provide the required proof of residency. These documents must be provided before the lifetime license can be issued.

You may purchase a lifetime license as a gift for someone however. However, you must provide all documentation as listed above.

There are no age restrictions on purchasing a lifetime license for an individual.

What is Included in a Lifetime License?

LIFETIME COMBINATION HUNTING/FISHING LICENSE, $775.00

As the owner of a lifetime combination license, you may hunt and fish in the State of Oklahoma for as long as you live, subject to the rules set forth for the separate hunting and fishing licenses described below.

LIFETIME HUNTING LICENSE, $625.00

As the owner of a lifetime hunting license, you may hunt any legal game, as set forth in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation hunting regulations, for as long as you live. Lifetime hunting license holders are exempt from purchasing an annual hunting license; Oklahoma waterfowl stamp; fur and trapping license; deer, elk, antelope, and turkey licenses; and controlled hunt permits. Check stations will issue any necessary tags when animals are checked in. Bobcats require a federal tag which may be obtained from Oklahoma game wardens, Department biologists, Department field offices, or specially designated stations at no charge. The lifetime hunting license does not exempt the holder from purchasing a bear license, H.I.P. permit, federal permits, federal fees that may be required (such as a federal duck stamp or federal controlled hunt user fee), or a land access permit for designated areas. If the license holder hunts migratory birds, he/she must fill out a yearly migratory bird survey (HIP permit). The HIP permit may be obtained free of charge atwww.wildlifedepartment.com or it can be purchased at a license dealership for $3.00. No person under age 8 may hunt large game (deer, elk, bear, antelope) without first completing hunter education.

LIFETIME FISHING LICENSE, $225.00

As the owner of a lifetime fishing license, you may fish in the waters of this state, as set forth in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation fishing regulations, for as long as you live. Lifetime fishing license holders are exempt from purchasing an annual fishing license. The lifetime fishing license does not exempt you from having to purchase a Lake Texoma license if you fish on the Texas side of Lake Texoma, a land access permit for designated areas, or a paddlefish permit.

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY

Only persons who have resided in Oklahoma at least six months immediately prior to date of purchase may obtain a lifetime license. A social security number is required to purchase a lifetime license. Documentation proving residency must be presented for approval, such as:

- If under 16, a report card from an Oklahoma school or a parent’s latest Oklahoma tax return showing child as a dependent.

A lifetime license holder, whether it be combination, hunting, or fishing, will not lose the benefits of the license by a change of address, even if he or she ceases to be an Oklahoma resident by moving out of the state. If you move, you should report your new address to our office.

APPROVAL If ordered by mail, the applicant must contact a Game Warden for approval of the application beforesubmitting it to our office.

PAYMENT Cashier’s check, money order, VISA or MasterCard. Personal checks will be accepted, however, the lifetime license will be held for three weeks (3 weeks).

REPLACEMENT If the lifetime license is lost or you need a replacement, a duplicate license will be issued for a fee of $10.00. Contact the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for a replacement application.

All lifetime licenses are non-transferable and must be obtained by mail or in person from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation at the address listed above.

Must be approved by the County Game Warden or an authorized Department employee.

Social Security Number is required.

Proof of residency for 6 months and intent to remain Oklahoma as permanent residence.

Hunter Education certification required if applicant is 30 years of age or under.

Applicants 30 or under who have not completed hunter education will be issued an apprentice-designated license.

Payment accepted by cashier's check, money order, VISA or MasterCard.

Personal checks also accepted; however, the lifetime license will be held for THREE (3) WEEKS.

Licenses are non-transferable.

If a hunting and fishing lifetime license is purchased separately, they can not be combined.